How to choose the right law college for yourself?

We always want the best for ourselves in every aspect of our lives. So how can we mess up the decision of choosing the right law college for ourselves?

Choosing the right law college is very essential as it will lend its name to your resume and career. There are a lot of factors involved when choosing a law school. However, with proper research, you’ll be able to decide which college suits you the best. Read the entire article to get all details required to be aware of beforehand while taking admission to the law school of your choice.

Also Read: Private Law colleges in India accepting CLAT

Things You Should Do Before Choosing A Law School

We know that there are rankings available on the internet which tell you the top 10 or 20 best law colleges in the country. But we do not suggest one to follow those, because no single college is best in everything. Make your choice depending on yourself and not on the shiny package advertisements you see. So let’s see 4 things you should do before choosing a law college.

1. Research:

Before getting into the factors, let’s take a quick look at a pretty self-explanatory point. Research about the colleges. Students should always do intricate research and find out the following things about the college:

• Past 5-year placement record.
• The infrastructure of the college and hostel facility.
• Schedule of classes, holidays, and internship breaks.
• Notable Alumni.
• Location.
• Faculty (we’ll learn about it in the upcoming factors)

2. Administration:

The second factor is to learn about the administration and how they deal with students. It is essential to know about the attitude towards their students, do they spend enough on student welfare and co-curricular activities? Find the answers to these questions before you make a call if you do not think these are important then ask someone in the 4th or 5th year, they’ll tell you the importance of these questions.

3. Check if the end will justify the means:

The cost of different law schools is different. Though a college cost should not influence students, still it should be reputed enough to justify the cost related to their career. If you find out a college that you like and if it fulfills all the criteria, then try finding out options for scholarships.

“Your investment is worth it if it opens the door” – Zearfoss said.

4. Talk to present students and graduates:

Talking to seniors and graduates can help you build knowledge about the course, placements, curriculum, student organization, etc. Always reach out and connect to as many people as you can. They might even help you out with different college programs, give you notes, and help you make new friends before going to college.

Also Read: Admission to Law colleges despite low rank in CLAT

Factors That Can Help You Choose The Right Law College For Yourself

To help you find the best law school (or schools) for you and your career goals, we've broken down all the criteria you need to research-

1. Faculty:

A good faculty and student ratio is essential in a good law school. Preferably, as per UGC rules 2020, there should be one teacher for every ten students. The faculty profile motivates students to sustain five long years. Faculty from across the country and abroad bring in various shades of intellectual scholarship.

2. Curriculum:

The range and quality of academic programs are some of the most important factors to be considered when choosing a law school. The course curriculum structure should be checked to see whether they’re at par with the current education standards. Along with studies, co-curricular activities are also important as they shape the person you become in the future.

3. Specialization:

Traditionally, law school aspirants had to focus on two things: getting into law school and staying competitive in every area. Back then, it wasn’t until after graduation that most students selected a specialization within the legal field. However, things have changed. Today, law students should consider their specialization options to be best prepared for their future.

A law school offering a variety of specializations and having a multi-disciplinary curriculum is better than those offering traditional courses only.

4. Location:

One of the most important things to consider, while deciding the right law school, is the location. If you’re going to the top 10 Law schools, national brand recognition will often outweigh the importance of location. Otherwise, location is essential. One should try to decide where one wants to live, work, and practice law after their graduation. You should try and aim to study at the same place where you would want to settle later on.

5. Placement:

One of the features of a good law school is the effort the institution makes to help its students and graduates to find satisfying employment. So while searching for a good law college, check the last five years’ placement record thoroughly and decide if the college has placed enough students till now. The student should also ensure that they will get a good and lucrative career prospect post having a degree from any particular college.

6. Notable Alumni:

Although it's not a very important factor it shouldn't be overlooked. Law schools provide data about where their graduates work on their websites. Connecting with recent alumni can give you insight into a program you may be interested in, tell you about the school’s culture from a more objective standpoint and you may even meet someone who could help you out in the future when looking for employment.

7. Student Culture:

Every law school has a different personality which attracts unique students. You need to understand what student culture and school community you're looking for.

Law students are an ambitious and enthusiastic bunch, and you might find some schools have a more zealous vibe than others. While some people respond well to this, flourishing under the added pressure; others want a more cooperative atmosphere. In both cases, the campus culture can have a huge impact on your proficiency and contentment throughout law school.

Also Read: Private Law colleges in India accepting AILET scores

We hope this article was helpful and you will keep all of the factors in mind while searching for the best Law college for yourself. Also, let us know your feedback in the comment section down below.